Deja Vu: The Spanish Consulate

Phew. Got that over with. Mostly unscathed too, with just my wallet feeling a bit lighter.

I think that's actually my biggest problem with the whole visa process: it's hardly for the poor. Any American that's trying to work, study, or live abroad in Spain has to spend a ton of money to even submit the correct paperwork (with no actual guarantee that it will all be approved). Granted, most people that even apply probably already have the means to do so, but the numerous number of fees associated with the visa do eliminate a large group of people that simply cannon afford it.

Let's chalk up my visa expenses for this year:

Fingerprinting for FBI Clearance: $6.00

Processing fee for FBI Clearance: $18.00

Rush USPS delivery for FBI Clearance: $5.60

Tempe Police Certificate: $10.00

SOS Apostille for Police Certificate: $3.00

Medical Certificate: $60.00

Passport Photos: $9.83

USPS Prepaid Express Envelope: $18.30

Copies: $1.97

Visa Fee: $100.00

Plane Ticket: $119.90

Food, etc for LA: $47.86

That's an astounding $400.86 + gas. That's also not even counting the paperwork costs for applying to the program to even get a position for the next year. Ugh.

What's unfortunate is that after all was submitted and paid, the FBI Certificate requirement was waived. It also turned out that I didn't really need to buy more passport photos as I found some after the fact that would have worked (and that I actually ended up using). Admittedly, I could have also spent a little less in LA on food and such but just I couldn't resist getting delectable Indian at Akbar and going around to 21 Choices - twice.

However, I know I was also cut a few breaks. Not only was I able to get discounted airfare with Dad's passes, but I was able to stay with Marina and use her car to get to the Consulate (not to mention that she managed to snag one of the lunch bills while I was not paying attention).

Overall, it's really just an insightful experience, and additionally, a much more pleasant one this time around. The people at the Consulate were pleasant and worked quickly, and assured me that everything should go through without a hitch. I was also able to work out seeing Marina on the side which meant I got even more out of the trip too.

Bottom line it: I'm deeply grateful that I'm afforded (and can afford) this opportunity again this year, because I'm also very aware of so many others that would love to do the same, but can't.

Oh yeah,

the next ten months living on the Mediterranean in the south of Spain: Priceless.

This again?

Today I leave for Los Angeles for my visa appointment tomorrow.

After months of preparation, untold amount of cash (with the tab still open), and endless anxiety, hopefully, it will all be over tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck!

Brief Reflection and New Adventures

I've been home for over a month now. I thought I would do more reflecting on my past months in Cordoba than I in fact did. Too overwhelmed with the excitement of getting home, there was little time and energy left to actually "reflect." Should have done more of that when I was in Spain and clearly had more time.

But I have done a little, especially while waiting to hear from the Ministry of Education to find out what my exact placement would be for the next school year. I had applied to return and do the whole thing over again, and had been accepted for the Andalucia region. But I still had not been informed of my exact placement, and therefore, still did not know if I was going to return, especially with so many unknowns still hanging.

My year was far from smooth, but it's usually the rough road that makes life more interesting. I had my challenges and frustration, but what I realized more than anything after getting home, was that all those things that seems like such hurdles to my smooth journey seemed to fade into the background and most of what remained in my memory was the journey. So is life. One would think I would have this lesson down pat for as many times as I've "learned" it. But I don't mind learning it all over again in Spain, one more year.

So, one more year it will be. This year I have been placed in city center of Malaga, Spain. Thank you to whoever pulled the invisible strings and granted me my first choice placement. Malaga is a beautiful city by the sea, complete with a high-speed train stop and major airport. Most importantly, it's a short journey to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (Costa del Sol). I couldn't be more excited.

And so the story begins again. This time, just a bit further south.

The view of Malaga, from our December Visit

One of my favorite pictures, from the Castle in Malaga